By Clint Richards
Government plans are well underway to solidify its new Constitutional interpretation.
Never one to sit back after a political victory, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is pushing ahead on two fronts now that the Cabinet has reached a unified position on collective self-defense. He is intent on strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance and expanding the Japanese role in that relationship. He is also seeking to have the Diet begin deliberations on the issue, in order to have the new interpretation of Japan’s Constitution become part of the new Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Guidelines to be revised late this year. The speed of Abe’s actions shows that he is determined to enshrine this new capability as quickly as possible, much as he did after Japan lifted its ban on military exports.
Abe’s comments to aides in late June, when negotiations with coalition partner New Komeito were winding down and it was clear the Cabinet would reach an agreement, show how he views the future of relations with the U.S. military. According to the Japan News, Abe said “The Japan-U.S. alliance will enter into a different sphere, as the exercise of the right of collective self-defense will become a great deterrent.” On Tuesday during a press conference, Abe said a senior U.S. official had urged him to “seriously consider whether the U.S. public would continue to trust Japan if a Self-Defense Forces’ vessel did not take any action when a nearby U.S. vessel that was protecting Japan came under attack.” Abe also reportedly told his aides that Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces will eventually become involved in U.S. Seventh Fleet operations, which will have significant meaning for U.S.-Japanese relations and the region at large.
Read the full story at The Diplomat